Haiti: Chikungunya Outbreak - Jul 2014

Glide: EP-2014-000082-HTI

Overview

The first cases of chikungunya were confirmed in Haiti during the last week of April 2014. The disease was first detected in the Caribbean in December 2013, in St Martin. The Government reported a cumulative total of 39,343 cases between 31 May and 16 Jun 2014 in all 10 departments, with the West department reporting 67 per cent of cases. (IFRC, 3 Jul 2014)

By mid-August, over 68,000 cases had been reported. However, after a peak in the beginning of June, the number of new cases per week had decreased considerably from over 12,000 to 315. (IFRC, 8 Oct 2014)

The Haiti Red Cross Society’s Health Department reached 20,304 people (81 per cent of the overall target) in sensitization, prevention and vector control activities in order to reduce the widespread cases of chikungunya.

In order to complete actions, the DREF operation was extended for one additional month, which pushed the operation end date back to 1 November 2014.

The Haiti Red Cross Society’s Health Department reached 20,304 people (81 per cent of the overall target) in sensitization, prevention and vector control activities in order to reduce the widespread cases of chikungunya.

In order to complete actions, the DREF operation was extended for one additional month, which pushed the operation end date back to 1 November 2014.

In December 2013, chikungunya, a deadly dengue-like virus spread by mosquitos, was first diagnosed in the Americas on the island of St. Martin. The disease quickly spread to neighboring islands and on May 7 the Haitian Ministry of Health confirmed 14 cases. A week later that number had increased to more than 1,500. Within two weeks of its purported arrival, it had risen to more than 5,500 cases. Epidemiologists report that chikungunya is likely to keep spreading.

Five years ago, people like you stepped up to help the millions of people affected by the most destructive earthquake in Haiti’s history, where Direct Relief and many others are still working to improve conditions for thousands of people left vulnerable.

Central African Republic: About 20,000 displaced people are seeking refuge in isolated rural areas in Ouham province following the arrival of armed groups in Boguila, Kouki and Nana Bakassa on 25 October. Nearly 1,000 people have been displaced since July in Bambari following violence in Batobadja and Matchika, and 4,000 have been displaced since January to Berberati town in Mambere province.

Yemen: As a government was agreed by Houthi and other opposition parties, the Southern Movement announced a merger to represent all southerners in the campaign for independence. Houthi insurgents attacked the Sunni opposition Al Islah party headquarters in Ibb, while Al Qaeda killed 18 Yemeni troops during an attack in Hudaydah.

Central African Republic: In Ouaka prefecture, fighting among rival militias persists. Attacks on a number locations, including Bambari, have left dozens of people dead, and civilians have been executed. 3,000 people remain displaced from Bangui after violence began in the middle of the month.

DRC: A resurgence of ADF-NALU attacks in North Kivu are thought to have displaced 100,000 people, and killed at least 80. In South Kivu, there has been a significant increase in IDPs, mainly due to insecurity in Shabunda and Fizi territories. 7.3 million people across the country are estimated to be food insecure.

Central African Republic: 5,600 people have fled Bangui after a new wave of violence killed at least eight and injured 56. WASH and health are priority needs among the IDPs. A UN peacekeeper was ambushed and killed on the outskirts of the capital. In Kemo, IDPs have been slow to return as tensions have increased: ex-Seleka attacked Dekoa market on 11 October.

"Do you know how to protect yourselves from the chikungunya virus?” asked Haiti Red Cross Society volunteer Marc Antoine to a crowd with his loud hailer. He is part of the response team working to cover the streets of Croix-des-Bouquets, a bustling business area in Haiti, where the mosquito-borne disease poses a risk to many. Their task is to spread simple yet critical information to residents, many of whom may not recognize the name of the virus, nor the fact that their lives could be at risk.

This DREF operation update reports the timeframe extension of the operation by one month; the operation end date is now 1 November 2014. Through this DREF, the National Society’ health department has been able to reach 15,000 people in sensitization, prevention and vector control activities to diminish the widespread cases of chikungunya. This extension does not represent a change in the original DREF budget.

Ebola in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone: At 1 October, the total cumulative number of reported Ebola cases across the three countries had reached 7,470, including 3,431 deaths. However, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that only 40% of cases are being reported in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Social tensions and insecurity are growing. Many of the 3,700 children who have lost parents to Ebola are being rejected out of fear of infection.

The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) held a regular meeting in which it received reports from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on the outbreak of the Ebola virus in western Africa and the status of Chikungunya virus in the region, and also discussed issues related to the empowerment of women in the Hemisphere and the designation of 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States.

Ebola in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea: As a three-day countrywide shutdown came to an end in Sierra Leone, the UN Security Council set up a special mission to lead the global response to the Ebola outbreak. More than 5,800 cases have been reported since the beginning of the outbreak, including 2,800 deaths, and more than 13.5 million people are now considered in need of assistance as the impact of the epidemic spreads.